[color=fafabe][i]So there's one of your fears confirmed. You're not welcome there, Eve. If a human is reacting this way, there's no way the gems are going to be any different.
[/i][/color]

The little gem's ears flattened down as she heard Johnny's words. She held herself back before speaking, acknowledging her emotional responses (most of which were unwarranted), rationalising them, and then letting them go before she spoke, though there was definitely a small hint of disappointment and hurt in her voice. Nearly undetectable, but it was there.

[color=fafabe]
"I understand why you do not want to be involved with gem business, Johnny, and I respect your wish to not tell us anything. But before I leave you be, I just want to clear up that I never joined Bloodstone. I'm Eve. I'm just Eve. And I will always remain as Eve unless I do decide that I am a 'Crystal Gem' or a 'Homeworld Gem'. Thank you nonetheless, and it was nice seeing you again. Please continue with your playing, we'll be going now."[/color]

She turned away from Johnny and rose into the air once more, looking to Chromite.

[color=FAFABE]
"I have no idea where the temple is, Chromite, ma'am, but..."[/color] she trailed off, grinning as she recognised a familiar orange giant of a gem making his way through town, [color=FAFABE]"...I think I might  know someone who does."[/color] With that, she rushed off without even waiting for Chromite or Reggie, though her grin melted away into a frown of uncertainty. 

[i][color=fafabe]Remember, Eve, in all likelihood, he won't be as happy to see you as you are to see him.
[/color][/i]

Upon closer inspection, he didn't look happy at all, regardless of whether he saw her or not. His old goofy demeanour was gone entirely, which alone was enough to cause alarm, but he looked so...Serious. Troubled. She alighted down onto the floor, her heels planted firmly to the ground. She stood there, unmoving, looking up in disbelief as to how much the younger gem had changed. By the time Amber has passed by her -had he even noticed she was there?- she still hadn't moved, aside from a small blink of her eyes.

Tussle-involved or not, it was clear that something had happened while she was gone. Shaking her head, she followed after him without her usual tip-toeing, hesitant to speak. He might've been furious with her for all she knew, he might see her as the enemy, and for all she knew he'd pound her into the ground right then and there. Approaching with caution would be the best route, and she know she should be taking that route, but seeing him like this...It was too much. She would abandon caution, and most likely regret it later. When she finally did, it sounded much higher than usual, on the verge of cracking.

[color=fafabe]"...Amber?"
[/color]

Her ears fell flat once more, her left hand clutching the wrist of her right.

[color=fafabe]"...Are you okay?" What happened...What happened while I was gone?"[/color]

[@Saarebas]
[@21308]
[@Pathfinder]
[@Raijinslayer]